General Aspects Ecology – Found throughout the environment Very simple nutritional requirements – Not usually in normal flora unless hospitalized or immunocompromised
Diversity of species Ecology – Found worldwide in soil, water, vegetation, and microbial flora of animals and humans – Some are always associated with disease
Comparison of Meningococcus and Gonococcus Pathobiology Similarities: – Both diploccocci – Share about 80% DNA – Neither makes exotoxin; both make endotoxin – Both are relatively good colonizers